Carrot Harvest Booms in Manda Upazila Amid Ideal Weather Conditions

Manda Upazila in Naogaon district is witnessing a bustling carrot harvest this season, with farmers reporting an excellent yield. According to the Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE), favorable weather conditions, including dense fog and the absence of prolonged cold spells, coupled with high-quality seeds, have contributed to a bumper crop in the northern district.

Manda Upazila leads the district in carrot cultivation, with farmers increasingly drawn to the crop due to its low labor and cost requirements, high production rates, and lucrative market prices. This season, carrots have been cultivated on 600 bighas of land across the upazila, with significant cultivation in villages such as Bilkarilya, Kusumba, and Badalghata.

The DAE estimates that the upazila will produce at least 72,000 maunds of carrots, with an expected market value of Tk 3.5 crore. Farmers are optimistic about their profits, citing strong yields and favorable pricing.

Hanif Uddin Mandal, a farmer from Bilkarilya village, cultivated carrots on 15 bighas of land, spending Tk 14,000-15,000 per bigha. He anticipates a yield of 130-140 maunds per bigha, with a profit of Tk 40,000-45,000 per bigha after expenses. Similarly, Nizam Uddin from Kusumba village expanded his carrot cultivation from six bighas last year to 15 bighas this year, expecting 110-120 maunds per bigha.

At the start of the season, carrots fetched Tk 30-35 per kilogram (Tk 560-640 per maund). However, as the harvest progressed and supply increased, prices slightly dropped to Tk 14-16 per kilogram. Despite this, farmers are still earning a net profit of Tk 35,000-40,000 per bigha.

The village of Bilkarilya has become a hub for carrot processing, with nine machines cleaning at least 2,000 maunds of carrots daily. These processed carrots are then supplied to various regions, including Naogaon, Rajshahi, Chapainawabganj, and Bogura.

Farmers like Ishahak Ali Mandal from Kusumba village have opted for carrot cultivation over traditional crops like potatoes and mustard, citing higher demand and profitability. Carrot trader Bidyut Hossain reported daily sales of Tk 5 lakh worth of carrots, which are collected directly from the fields.

Abul Kalam Azad, deputy director of the DAE, attributed this year’s bumper harvest to ideal weather conditions. Carrots were cultivated on 270 hectares of land in the district, with an average yield of 15 tonnes per hectare. The DAE expects carrot sales from Manda Upazila to reach Tk 5 crore this season, marking a significant boost for local farmers and the regional economy.